BendBotDoing things alone in Bend is easy, and honestly kind of great. But if you're doing everything alone because you don't have people yet, here are some solo-friendly ideas that also open the door to meeting someone.
Solo-friendly things to do in Bend
- Walk the Deschutes River Trail through the Old Mill District, or loop around Drake Park and Mirror Pond downtown.
- Hike Pilot Butte for a sunset view of the Cascades from the middle of town.
- Sit at a brewery bar. Bend's beer scene is a big part of its culture, and bar seats are made for striking up conversations.
- Catch a show at the Tower Theatre or a concert in the Old Mill District.
- Try a class. Climbing gyms, yoga studios, and art classes all have regulars you'll start to recognize.
- Go to trivia and ask to join a team that's short a player.
How to turn solo into social
The trick is choosing things that are recurring and interactive. A movie is fun, but you won't meet anyone. A weekly class, trivia night, or group hike puts you in the same room as the same people again and again, and that's how friendships form.
Or skip the guesswork
The Bend Zone is a free Discord community for adults (18+) in Central Oregon who want to make real friends. Every week there's an in-person meetup that members vote on, plus a weekly game night in voice chat.
You can lurk, chat, play a game, and then come to a meetup when you're ready, so you're never walking in as a total stranger.